Sophisticated weather forecasting charts indicate that Britons could be enjoying 30C temperatures before the month of May concludes. Temperature anomaly charts display zones of intense red throughout the UK approaching the end of May, especially across England and Wales. This signifies where the mercury is projected to climb considerably above the seasonal average for this period.
Five-Day Warm Spell Expected
The GFS weather model demonstrates that maximum potential temperatures could climb to 25C and higher for five straight days, commencing on 24 May when the data indicates highs of 27C in south-eastern England. Temperatures could reach 25C in Yorkshire on 24 May, the data implies, while 23C highs are feasible in sections of Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland is anticipated to be a few notches cooler.
Peak Temperatures on 28 May
The charts once more display 27C highs in south-eastern England on 25 May, with London projected to experience the warmest conditions. 25C highs are predicted throughout East Anglia at approximately 6pm, according to the GFS model. Temperatures are subsequently anticipated to drop marginally on 26 May and 27 May, with highs of 25C and 26C in the south-east and 20-22C throughout the remainder of England and Wales. Nevertheless, 28 May could prove an absolute scorcher. Maximum temperature charts for 28 May indicate potential highs of 30C just west of London. Temperatures elsewhere in the south-east could achieve 28C and 29C, with 27C highs extending as far north as Yorkshire. Temperatures could nudge into the low-20s once again in Scotland, while Wales may experience highs of 25C according to the GFS model. Northern Ireland is not anticipated to reach 20C.
Counties Facing 27C or Above
Overall, the GFS model indicates that as many as 20 counties could record temperatures of 27C or above across the five-day period. All of these are located in England. The counties include Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Berkshire.
Is the UK Facing an Official Heatwave?
An official heatwave is declared by the Met Office when temperatures reach or exceed the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days. The heatwave threshold varies from 25C to 28C across parts of the UK. It stands at 28C in the south-east of England where temperatures tend to be warmer, and drops to 25C further north. So even if temperatures reach 30C on one day, an official heatwave may not be declared. The Met Office suggests temperatures could turn "rather warm" towards the end of this month, but has yet to confirm that a heatwave is forthcoming. Its forecast for May 18 to 27 states: "Temperatures near-normal to begin, but tending to recover as the period progresses, perhaps becoming rather warm by the end of the period, especially in the south."
